02-27-2013, 11:30 PM
The civil rights division of DOJ already monitors every state's voting laws, and they have recently objected to voter ID laws in states that are not subject to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
So I don't think we need any new laws regarding federal supervision of voting, but given the behavior of South Carolina, Texas, Alabama and other southern states regarding strict photo ID laws, I see no reason to remove Section 5 now.
If those states were making this request without simultaneously trying to impose unnecessary restrictions on voting, that might look a little different.
But the fact is they are pursuing those restrictions, alleging non-existent voter fraud. That's the issue that makes maintenance of Section 5 crucial, IMO.
So I don't think we need any new laws regarding federal supervision of voting, but given the behavior of South Carolina, Texas, Alabama and other southern states regarding strict photo ID laws, I see no reason to remove Section 5 now.
If those states were making this request without simultaneously trying to impose unnecessary restrictions on voting, that might look a little different.
But the fact is they are pursuing those restrictions, alleging non-existent voter fraud. That's the issue that makes maintenance of Section 5 crucial, IMO.